Paint Dash Cluster

[Ed P.]

What is the best way to paint the entire dash cluster on my 62, it is never been painted ?

[Richard M.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

Ed, All paint and primer should be removed. Paint stripper for the old lacquer, lacquer thinner and 3M Scotchbrite pads for the primer. It is a very PITA to do the lower section with all of the knooks and crannies and small gauge openings.

Then a light beadblast.

I use a red oxide sandable primer after fixing any flaws, then I use lacquer, 3-4 light coats with a 2-3 minute flash time in between coats. I try not to apply the last coat too wet, just a uniform coat. They never buffed the clusters after paint.

Rich
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[John H.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

At St. Louis, the '58-'62 cluster (received primed from the die-casting vendor) was one of many loose parts painted lying on the floor of the car.

[Edward L.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

John, do you or anyone else have a picture of this procedure either at the factory or documented evidence found during a current restoration? I have restored seven straight axle cars and have never seen any evidence of this happening. Was the floor first covered? If all the components such as kick panels, guage cluster, defroster bezels and in some cases dash end caps were placed on the floor, there would not be enough room. Finally, since the car was already painted, considerable masking of body parts would be necessary. Sorry, but I have difficulty understanding why the factory would employ such a time consuming and dirty procedure.

[John H.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

John, do you or anyone else have a picture of this procedure either at the factory or documented evidence found during a current restoration? I have restored seven straight axle cars and have never seen any evidence of this happening. Was the floor first covered? If all the components such as kick panels, guage cluster, defroster bezels and in some cases dash end caps were placed on the floor, there would not be enough room. Finally, since the car was already painted, considerable masking of body parts would be necessary. Sorry, but I have difficulty understanding why the factory would employ such a time consuming and dirty procedure.

Ed -

No pictures, but the attachment below from Harry Jones summarizes the St. Louis C1 paint process; Harry was the Chevrolet-Central Office Paint Standards Department Senior Engineer who was responsible for the Corvette plant paint processes; Harry and I worked together for many years when I was at the Chevrolet Pilot Line and St. Louis-Corvette.


CorvettePaintInfoHJones.doc

[Richard M.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

John, What a great document. Thanks for sharing that.

Here on page 5 he talks about painting some of those pieces. Some on the floor, some held by the sprayer and then laid back down on the floor.


ClusterPaintProcess.jpg

[Ed P.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

Ed can not open the doc.

[Richard M.]

Re: Paint Dash Cluster

Ed, It opened fine for me. Try to download again maybe it was corrupted the first time?